Right present, Mark Pope is deeply involved in player meetings. Following the Iowa State defeat, every player has already discussed their plans, although plans can alter.
Kentucky may receive as few as three or four players or as many as ten when the Transfer Portal opens on April 7. In the offseason’s roster-building phase, this coming week will be crucial.
Having said that, I believe there is a fairly distinct boundary about who stays and who leaves.
Where will Kentucky’s roster be in 2 weeks?
We are aware that Walker Horn and Zach Tow are no longer eligible, as are Otega and DA. Jayden Quaintance made it apparent that he was probably done playing in college. Braydon Hawthorne and Reece Potter have declared their intention to return, should Kentucky accepts them. The others, however, remain uncommitted. I’ll tell you which players I believe will eventually return after giving you a percentage likelihood that they will be on the roster the following season.
Brandon Garrison- 70%
Jaland Lowe-65%
Reece Potter- 70%
Mo Dioubate- 30%
Kam Williams- 60%
Andrija Jelavic- 75%
Collin Chandler- 60%
Trent Noah- 30%
Braydon Hawthorne- 95%
Jasper Johnson- 40%
Malachi Moreno- 50%
Who leaves?
Trent Noah
Collin Chandler
Mo Dioubate
Jasper Johnson
Mo and Moreno will be in a similar situation. It doesn’t fit well. Mo wants to play ball in a role that will make the most of his senior year, but I still love him and hope he remains.
For the NIL, Trent Noah might remain. He needs to gain more self-assurance, but for a player who will have been in your system for three years, it’s a win if he can give you ten minutes each night and earn four or five boards. However, I believe he will move to a location where he will have a lot more playing time, such as Butler, Providence, or Creighton, where hustle and shooting are the most important factors.
Collin Chandler is in a special position. The man is married, enjoys playing for Mark Pope, and for the entire year, he was actually one of the nicest guys. He may fetch a good price on the free market, though, and it appears that he wants a fresh job. I believe he leaves, but this is the closest person to call out of all of them.
Though I believe it’s more because Pope had him play point, Jasper persevered through his difficulties. Being a tiny two-guard, the young man wasn’t prepared for that. It will take him some time to improve his physical attributes and overcome his AAU mindset. I don’t think he remains, but I hope he does.
Who stays?
One intriguing one is Malachi Moreno. Moreno might leave for a different function and better money, in my opinion. Moreno’s current style of play is entirely different from Pope’s big guys. He will be very good if he remains and grows, but he could wish to move somewhere that will highlight more of his strengths. I believe there will be just enough money to keep him in Lexington, but it’s a toss-up.
Another toss-up is Jaland Lowe. His father is looking to start, as seen by his remarks about them not waiting for Mark Pope to go recruit over them. He has potential, and I believe he would benefit greatly from an additional year in the system. However, this is now about as 50/50 as Chandler. Pope witnessed Lowe’s potential in the summer before to the injury. If he likes what he saw, he will be back. However, the portal currently offers a plethora of point guard possibilities, and Lowe might not want to share the limelight.
Both Brandon Garrison and Kam Williams ought to return. Garrison will probably earn more money here than anywhere else because he is active in a variety of activities around town. Williams is intriguing; he was unable to establish himself within Mark Pope’s framework. However, Mark Pope’s system wasn’t really used this year. He can be useful, and I believe he will return.
Unless Kentucky chooses to let go of Potter, Hawthorne, and Jelavic, they are locks. They don’t, in my opinion.
Who do you believe stays and who do you think departs? Tell us in the comments.
